Raise-proof indicia for check writers



July 8, 1958 H. s. MONGER 2,842,054

RAISE-PROOF INDICIA FOR CHECK WRITERS Filed Aug. 2. 1956 X2 j Howard 8. 125 2755? BY @0406.

RAISE-PROOF INDICIA FOR CHECK WRITERS Howard S. Monger, Chicago, Ill.

Application August 2, 1956, Serial No. 601,683

4 Claims. (Cl. 101399) The present invention generally covers a method of writing checks and other documents which will prevent the kiting or raising the value thereof. The invention consists of a series (1 to in which the various indicia are disposed at angles from each other. Also, the various indicia varies in size each from the other. This makes it impossible to raise the check or other document because no other indicia can be superimposed over any other indicia and completely cover it thereby rendering any tampering to the indicia of the check or other document immediately and easily recognizable.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved indicia for the type members of check writers or similar instruments which includes indicia which is progressively slanted at varying angles and progressively reduced in size wherein one embodiment incorporates numerals which may be slanted from one angle for the smaller numerals and progressively slanting to another angle for the larger numerals or progressively getting smaller in size from the smaller valued numerals to the larger valued numerals and by both varying the angle and changing the size.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view which shows the basic idea on the basis of straight lines X and Y with point beta at United States Patent Of" any point as shown or extended to infinity. For convenience, the angle alpha is shown the same between units but they may vary and the line X can be any conic curve or any irregular curve;

Figure 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating another arrangement of indicia of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating another form of the invention with Roman numerals being employed;

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view illustrating the advantages of the present invention in rendering superimposing of numerals readily discernible; and

Figure 5 is a schematic View of a type bar with a printing block having the indicia of the present invention thereon.

Referring now specifically to Figure l of the drawing, the letter a generally designates the indicia of the present invention which is illustrated for the purposes of description as incorporating all of the numerals b which get progressively larger from the numeral 9 to the numeral 0 and including a dollar mark. The numerals b also change in angular position as they progress from the numeral 9 to the numeral 0. This figure illustrates the concept of providing the variation in the angular position and the angle alpha may be equal in all cases or it may be unequal as desired. Also, the proportion of decrease in 2,842,054 j Pita-lea July s, 1958 t 2 size may vary and the point beta prime is any point on the circle shown in Figure 1. h f

Figure 2 illustrates another :set of indicia generally designated by the letter 0 which includes the numerals d ranging from 9 to 0 and the dollarmark whichget progressively larger and change in angular relation with the proportion of change in the size and the angular relation being different. It is noted that this set of indicia c is arranged inan arcuatemannera N V Figure 3 illustrates another set of indicia generally designated by the letter e incorporating Roman numerals f ranging from 1 through 10 which varywin sizeonly but which may vary in both angular inclination and size or combined with Arabic numerals.

Figure 4 illustrates four examples g, h, i and j of the ease of distinguishing the alteration of the numerals by attempting to raise a numeral 1 to a numeral 7, a numeral 1 to a numeral 9 and a numeral 3 to a numeral 6 by superimposing the higher valued numeral over the lower valued numeral or over a sign as shown in j.

Figure 5 illustrates a conventional type bar k with a type block I thereon for receiving the printing member in the form of the indicia a in Figure 1.

Also, the indicia of the present invention may be utilized to imprint other information on checks or on similar documents, thereby preventing the alteration or forgery of such documents. The numerical values on a check will always be raised, and the usual manner in raising the numerals is to superimpose another numeral having similar characteristics so that the higher valued numeral will cover the lower valued numeral and add thereto suflicient indicia to increase the numeral value. Commonly, the numeral 1 is raised to the numeral 9, the numeral 3 is raised to a numeral 6 or 8; the numeral 1 is raised to the numeral 6, 7 or 8; the numeral 2 is raised to the numeral 8, and the numeral 3 is raised to the numeral 9. Of course, other numerals may be employed but generally, the numerals raised are superimposed over numerals having similar characteristics. The numeral system or indicia system of the present invention may be employed in conjunction with any type of check writers or with other types of printing devices, such as typewriters, engraving and stamping devices, thereby protecting and preventing the raising of the value of the check or similar document by preventing the superimposing of higher value numerals over the lower value numerals.

The vertical, horizontal and depth dimensions may vary in size and proportion with each other in any combination whatsoever. This will be protection for such manufacturing facilities as identification numbers on motor blocks as employed in the automotive industry.

While the invention has been specifically illustrated and described in conjunction with a check writer for purposes of clarity, it will be understood that the scope of the invention encompasses any type of printing system or manufacturing facility wherein it is desirable to prevent alteration to the indicia or other markings. The particular size and reduction in size as well as the particular angle of inclination and variation in inclination of the indicia may be adapted to each individual use of the invention. The indicia may be positioned in any relation to other indicia involved dependent upon the need for specifically adapting the invention to various imprinting devices.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1'. For use in conjunction with a printing device having printing members, raise-proof indicia comprising a series of indicia on the printing members being progressively changed for preventing alteration of the indicia by superposition of different indicia thereon, Said series of indicia progressively slanting at diife'rentangl'es.

2. For use in conjunction with apr'i'nting device having printing members, raise-proof indicia" comprising a series of indicia on'the printingmembers being progressively changed for preventing alteration of the indicia by superposition of diiferent indicia thereon, said series of indicia being progressively smaller in size and being disposed at a progressively different angle of inclination.

3. The method of preventing the raising of the value of printed numerals comprising" the step' of'slanting the numerals atvarying angles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,292,332 Jones Jan. 21, 1919 1,833,391 De Giorgio NOV. 24, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS 433,435 Germany Aug. 30, 1926 

